» Monday, December 19, 2005

Both Conservatives and Liberals alike should be up in arms at the latest news that Bush has taken it upon himself to circumvent the law, mandating spying on Americans. This is not a partisan issue. It is a constitutional issue that was addressed due to the same abuse by the Nixon Administration. Please take the time to join with me in asking Congress to investigate this outright travesty. See also my newest post concerning this issue where Louise Slaughter has created a petition to demand accountability. - fc

Shockingly, it has come to light that President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on conversations of Americans and others in the United States. This spying apparently occurred without any court order and was focused on telephone and e-mail communications of "hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people inside the United States."

Even under the insidious USA PATRIOT ACT, electronic surveillance law generally prohibits non-consensual eavesdropping in the U.S. without a court order based on probable cause. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) makes it a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, to conduct electronic surveillance, except as "authorized by and conducted pursuant to a search warrant or court order." Kate Martin, director of the Center for National Security Studies at George Washington University, has said that Bush's secret order may amount to the president authorizing criminal activity.

Since this potentially illegal activity was clearly directed from within the Administration, there is simply no way that the Justice Department can investigate the matter without serious conflicts of interest. Therefore, we are calling on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to appoint a special prosecutor to get to the bottom of this matter and bring criminal charges against anyone found to have violated the law

I am writing you -- with a copy to my representative and senators in Congress -- to formally request the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate recent disclosures that the National Security Agency has been spying on Americans without a court order.

This appears to be a clear violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I am outraged and disgusted at this clear violation of the civil liberties of all Americans.

Since high-level administration officials -- up to and including the President himself -- may be criminally involved in this matter, it will not be possible for the Justice Department to conduct a thorough and independent investigation. Therefore, I call upon you to appoint a special prosecutor to get to the bottom of this matter and hold accountable anyone found to have violated the law.

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